Venice-based Snapchat on Wednesday launched Snap Map, a feature that allows users to share their current location and see where their friends are on a map, reports TechCrunch. The new feature is meant to foster offline connections between friends, as well as increase the use of the application’s Story Search and “Our Story” features.

Santa Monica’s BlockFraud has raised $5 million in a Series A funding round led by Palisades Venture Capital, reports SoCalTech. The company, which develops machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to mobile carriers, plans to use the money to develop its anti-fraud software.